How a Horse Race Can Affect a Company’s PerformanceHow a Horse Race Can Affect a Company’s Performance
The sport of horse racing has entranced spectators for centuries. It has a long history of scandal, corruption and violence—as well as a certain beauty that has drawn countless photographers and movie makers to the tracks. But the biggest problem with horse races isn’t betting or equestrian gear, it’s the fact that the horses are being pushed far beyond their limits. It’s not uncommon for racehorses to develop debilitating medical conditions like bleeding lungs, ringbone, and gastric ulcers. It’s also common for them to lose their lives in catastrophic accidents on the course.
This is why many people are upset that a popular HBO series, Luck, is set in the world of horse racing and stars Dustin Hoffman as a trainer who attempts to rescue his prized animals from a cruel industry. The show has caused a lot of discussion among animal rights advocates and industry defenders about the exploitation of these animals and the need for reform and even an outright ban of horse racing.
The race for a company’s top leadership position can be a real horse race. Depending on how it’s run, the contest can have a significant negative impact on the company’s performance. Often, the board and current CEO must consider whether the organization is suited for such an overt leadership contest, and if it is, they should adopt strategies to mitigate its negative impact.
It was a hot and windy day at Pimlico last year when the eleven horses lined up in the starting gate for the start of the Preakness Stakes. War of Will, that year’s Preakness winner, took an early lead. A small-framed bay named Mongolian Groom was in second, and a dark horse called McKinzie trailed just behind.
Before the race began, the horses walked around a walking ring to get warmed up and stretch their muscles. Some bettors looked at the horses’ coats to see if they were bright and healthy-looking. Others examined the jockeys or drivers, noting their track record and riding style. If a jockey or driver had a bad track record, it could hurt the horse’s chances of winning.
As the twilight of the Preakness approached, a few hundred fans filled the grandstands at Pimlico to watch the horses enter the starting gate for their grueling race. The horses were injected that morning with Lasix, a diuretic marked on the race forms by a boldface “L.” The drug is given to prevent pulmonary bleeding that hard running causes in some horses. It’s a common practice in horse racing, though it’s been condemned by animal rights advocates.